Mikel Arteta faced the media this afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates in the Champions League Quarter-Finals.
With the privilege of being invited to the press conference – Arsenal’s head coach gave updates on latest team news, season ambitions as well as discussing his sides wavering form with Manchester City looming large at the weekend. Success tomorrow night would mean the North London outfit make back-to-back semi-finals for the first time in their history.
For Mikel, the week ahead is set up to be the most important in his managerial career to date. On Wednesday, his side face the task of defending their lead against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates. They hold a slender 1-0 lead through a last-gasp Kai Havertz winner. Arsenal firmly hold the advantage in their endeavour into the next round, where one of Barcelona and Atletico lurk.
Sporting Lisbon, having overturned a three goal deficit against Bodo/Glimt in the previous round, will be quietly optimistic to reach the next round with a promising display at home and Arsenal’s wavering form in April.
Mikel Arteta had the chance to rest some key players on the weekend, a decision that proved costly, losing to Bournemouth – giving Manchester City optimism in their run in.
Arsenal boast an eight home game unbeaten streak against Portuguese opposition, including 6 wins and two draws, and will attempt to erase any memories of their 22/23 season, which saw Sporting play the winning cards.
Here is a list of the key information from the conference; The players are relishing the opportunity to write history for Arsenal and need to prove they have the mentality. Notable absence from Saka, Rice, Timber and Odegaard in training for various reasons. Saka, recovering from an achilles injury but has a chance to be involved tomorrow. Arteta is “On FIRE”, and dreams about his opportunity, and goes into tomorrow with “zero fear”.
Here is a selection of what Arteta had to say in his press conference:
Charismatic of his situation, Arteta stressed that pressure was a privilege and his side needed to prove they have the mentality to see themselves over the line.
On Declan Rice’s absence from training
I don’t want to do that. We will have to wait and see in the morning.
On Timber or Saka being back?
Maybe one of them, let’s see.
On weekend loss to Bournemouth
Big disappointment, hard one to take especially at home. You have to confront it. We are trying to do something that has not been done in the history of the champions league, 140 years. We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals.
We are very very close.
No fear, pure fire. That’s it. Pure fire, that is what I want to see from the players. We are in April with an incredible opportunity ahead of us.
On what he is feeling ahead of the game:
FIRE. I’m on fire. Nothing else. I am dreaming so much and thinking so much. I just see beauty and opportunity. We have zero fear.
FIRE. I’m on fire. Nothing else.
Mikel Arteta
On City fan with the Arsenal water bottle
1 fan, that’s it. We have 60 thousand. I don’t get moved by that.
Saka and Timber injuries
[Saka has an] issue with his achilles.
And on their return tomorrow:
Maybe one of them, let’s see.
On recent form
Im not going to get into that. I understand the questions. There is no plan without execution.
There is no time to find space for the weakness.
Speaking on players before the quarter-final second leg.
No I think what I love about where we are, there is no satisfaction about it. You have not said congratulations for the Champions League next season, That has become an expectation.
The players need the perspective they are in the Champions League and the Premier League, the later it gets the bumpier it gets
Mikel, charismatic with his response, refused to shed too much light on Gyokeres’ comments on a “dry” Emirates
After losing a match, I have learnt the lesson not to talk about this
On expected response from Sporting Lisbon given they are trailing
Yeah the approach that they will have is to be a team that is very very dominant. To go into the context in relation to the team. We are ready for that as well and we will apply what is needed to win the game.
Thoughts on Saka as a personality
Yeah he is a person that gets frustrated but is a person that does everything possible to try and change that.
On squad rotation and Zubimendi recruitment
Well there has been more rotation than in every other team.
Well obviously when you play that many games to continue to show that level is difficult, there isn’t a player in the Premier League who can do that.
When asked to clarify his response on Zubimendi specifically, we were just met with a smile and no further comment.
On Pep and his praise of Arsenal mindset
We have to prove that. We have the mindset, we have done all the things and we have to prove that to ourselves.
And Pep’s adoration of the Sun
We love the sun as well. Especially. But in the sun we have to win the games. September was very sunny as well.
Eze, played a relaxed figure in the press conference, spoke about his return from injury and Champions League ambitions.
When asked about if he has an opinion of people doubting Arsenal
No, I don’t care.
On the mindset of coming back from injury
I’d say less so about this particular type. Whenever I am injured, my aim is to come back as quickly as possible, if that means working overtiming, then I am going to do it.
On Champions League ambitions
For sure, these are the positions you want to be in as a footballer, for me I’m excited and the team is excited for sure.
So much belief and so much confidence. There is one thing on having bad experiences, but it’s another on how you deal with that. We have an opportunity to make history as a club.
Eze on being tested
Tested? I wouldn’t say tested. I have played football long enough now. I have been in this long enough not to care about what you guys talk about. For me and as well as team have the mentality of just letting go.
And his calf injury
Being injured is never fun or enjoyable. For me personally I see it a test for myself to see how I come back. Fearlessness to do what it takes to come back.
Whenever I am injured, my aim is to come back as quick as possible, if that means working overtiming, then I am going to do it.
Biggest challenge from his move to Arsenal from Palace
For me, it was the tactical stuff. At Palace it was very different. Coming here there is a lot more things to consider, ways to work and operate and that does naturally take time.
On relationship with Viktor Gyokeres
Yeah he’s a good guy, a very good guy. A special character and a special player. He is someone who will give everything on the pitch.
He is so willing to leave everything on the pitch. So inspiring, so infectious, and he is a killer when it comes to finishing. Massive help to the team, and someone who is a leader.
On Premier League ambitions
We are trying to do something that has not been done in the history of the club so that shows you the difficulty. This is the first time in three years. We value a lot where we are. We are competing to win the Premier League, and we are in a really strong position without having won it for 22 years.
Arsenal host Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League at the Emirates on Wednesday. A slender one goal cushion the difference after the first leg, with the London side holding the advantage. Despite injury concerns, Arteta reiterated his side’s confidence and assured they had a chance to prove they have the right mentality to achieve their end-of-season ambitions. The Gunners remain focused and look to continue their momentum in the Champions League in a bid for back-to-back semi-finals.